Not every networking opportunity has the structure of an informational interview. For less formal situations, such as a conversation at a conference, you can prepare by drafting and practicing an elevator speech. An elevator speech is a commercial of sorts that concisely describes your relevant qualifications, accomplishments, and goals as you move forward. Preparing a personal pitch helps you control your first impression, convey confidence, and articulate what you’re seeking.

An example might be as follows:

“Hello, Dr. Smith. I attended your session this morning and appreciated your insights regarding BCM theory. My name is Jack Walter, and I hope to be a future colleague someday. As a sophomore at Georgetown University, I have been taking coursework in biology and neuroscience as well as working in a lab at the Georgetown Medical Center. I plan to matriculate directly into a masters program so that I can participate in neural network research. I am particularly interested in your work at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. May I e-mail you next week to ask some questions about your research there and how I can position myself for work like yours?”

Essentially, an elevator speech should follow the format below. Of course, there is room for flexibility depending on your goals and context:

Who I am.

What I want (short-term, long-term).

My academic and experiential background (as it relates to what I want).

What I can contribute to your organization (not necessary for informational interview).

What I’m hoping you’ll do for me.

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on Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011 at 5:07 pm and is filed under Exploration, Job Search, Networking.
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